Trade Deadline Fallout: Yankees Acquire Austin Kearns

The Yankees didn’t stop with just Lance Berkman. Ken Rosenthal is reporting via Twitter that the Yankees have acquired Austin Kearns from the Cleveland Indians. According to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman (also via Twitter), the Indians will get a player to be named later.

Kearns will be used to strengthen the Yankees bench, so if he had value in your league, he no longer does.

From the Indians standpoint, the move may free up regular playing time for Michael Brantley, who was recently demoted to Triple-A. He’s hit well at Triple-A this season (.320) and has some speed. He struggled with terrible luck in the Majors this season (.169 BABIP), but if he is inserted into the everyday lineup, he’s worth watching if you are in need of some speed.